NEW YORK RED BULLS MEDIA CONFERENCE

September 22, 2021

Gerhard Struber

Press Conference

NY Red Bulls 1, New York City FC 1

GERHARD STRUBER: Yeah, we expect today a very tough game against a team with big experience, also with many key players, and yeah in the end when we look back in the first half, I think we find not always against the ball the right staggering, the right trigger to go in synchronized moments. I think this was, yeah, sometimes not always an overload against the ball. We create sometimes one-one and our plan was more overload moments.

But also we have in the first time I think a big chance from Omir Fernandez. And in the end I think the first half with not so much control what we want ton the ball and not in transition, we are always clean enough to break the last line and come with a good overload moment in the opponent's box.

But yeah, in the end, I think second half we changed the shape. We change also one other player to bring more power in the six and also I think a different situation for our transition. I think with the staggering in the second half, we come a little bit better in the game. It was also not easy. They make many things today on the right way. This was not easy for us to find spaces, work with spaces, and in the end we find better, better moments to win the balls, and we find a little bit more control. This was in the second half better.

And in the end, the big belief that we can change this game and, yeah, you think we deserve this point. I am 100 percent convinced also the stats now, they confirm it. Yeah, it's a tough opponent, but I think, yeah, we can see it's close, yeah, and we have one more chance on the weekend that we realize a win.

Q. The way the match started was not exactly what you were looking for, and the second half was much better because you changed the shape. Were you pleased with how hard the team fought to the end to earn this point, and getting a VAR call to your favor for once?

GERHARD STRUBER: Yeah, I think the shape, the change was very, very important. They have I think always with flared (ph) wingbacks the chance to create without pressing the buildup, and I think for us, it was a big staggering topic and a big system topic to change. And we have clear reverent players in the change at halftime and it was easier for us. And also, that we have more space to come in the halfway lines with diagonal switch moments.

And I think, yeah, in the end, I think the big belief and the conviction to create something against the opponent, they stay very, very close in the box and depend with all numbers what they have. This was the feeling for me, and in the end, yeah, we get the situation from the media assistant, yeah.

This is the new world of football and we have I think the last few months many things against us, and right now, the luck come a little bit back today with the VAR system. I don't see the situation. I cannot say something about that. But I have trust in our referees and we hope -- and yeah, Klimala make a very good chop. He is a killer on the point and he show us he is ready to score, and also for his confidence, a very good moment.

Q. Last time that you guys played against ten men, you said sometimes it can be more difficult than it looks. What did you adjust about the team tonight to make sure they maintain their intensity and sought through to get a goal against ten men with the late red card?

GERHARD STRUBER: Yeah, I think we saw this, also, in Miami; that we are ready, who can play in overload moments and can use the overloads.

I think also today, we move the opponent in the directions that we have to run and I think the loads go up from there and I think also our rest defense in these moments was very, very good. When we lose the ball, we win the ball back very, very quick, and I think we have in the end some moments with three kicks or corner balls, but I think from the open game in the ends, I cannot see so much from New York City FC.

In the end we find more control. We find more good moments with our higher wingbacks, and also with the six as we step out in the right moment and we create I think in the halfway lines, also center lines, some moments for us, and I think in the end was overloading the brain for New York City, and, yeah, the consequence was the penalty.

Q. Talk about Patryk and how he's developed and the ability for him to just be able to step up and take that penalty and be one of the best goalkeepers in the League the way he did.

GERHARD STRUBER: Yeah, I think with his quality, I expect from him that he score from the penalty point. He has the ability. He is a player. He has to realize that for us.

Of course, we can see that Patryk, when he came in in our club that he need a little bit of time to realize our style of play and also that he is always on line, always ready to be ready to make the necessary sprints against the ball and also ready to come in a good staggering for transitions and also that he's ready in build-up moments to find players, to work for spaces and coming in the last and create chances and score goals.

For him this was a completely new world, and right now we can see he is more in our world. He has a better connection with the other attacking players and I think he make big steps.

Right now, yeah, he is the player what we want on the field and we can see this, and he is hopefully also the next weeks, yeah, very, very successful with goals.

Q. Carlos played very well in goal tonight. I mean, he was commanding the 18. He looked strong, especially early on. That opening shot that he got his right foot out, I believe, to deflect that ball over the crossbar. How strong has Carlos been for you so far after a shaky start to the season?

GERHARD STRUBER: Yeah, I think this is also for me no surprise that Carlos is right now a very, very important player for us. He is not only in the goal a player he can catch balls. He can play and make the right decisions.

He is also in the dressing room, especially for the South American group, a very, very important player. I think with his leadership, with his character and mentality, he can help the players to come in the right way and in the right direction, and he is a big human and a big goalkeeper, and yeah, I am very, very happy that he is with me in my team and he help us to pick up the points what we want.

Yeah, I think, yeah, it's no surprise that he is a leader and a brilliant goalkeeper.

Q. You fight till the last minute, but what do you have to change next week because you have to face again your adversary. What do you have to change to win the game, and today, you know, a place for the playoff?

GERHARD STRUBER: Yeah, we cannot say what is the missing link for Saturday that we win this game. I can say after the Saturday game what we change, yeah. But we have something to change. I think this is necessary. This is clear. I think we need better staggering from the first second and we need more explosion from the center. I think this is, yeah, against Maxime (ph) and other key players, very, very important, when they have space and time, I think then it's very difficult.

Yeah, it's for us very important that we find the right staggering, the right system, and also the right transition moments for us. I think today, we have some good moments. But I think we can do better and we have to make better on Saturday, especially moments, also, when they come in transitions.

Q. It was somewhat of a physical game, a lot of cards on each side and obviously the two red cards for City. What does it say about your team that they were able to keep their composure in a tough rivalry game like this, especially a young team, keeping their heads in such a situation?

GERHARD STRUBER: Yeah, thanks for the question. Yes, of course, I think this was a next step from the physical side when we look our young group, how ready they are to come in the right moment in the duels, I can see not scared boys, we are ready for that. We know today we have to go with all our power in these invites, and also, I think we are smart in some moments to pick up the ball with cleverness and also with especially the second half with the right staggering and with the right overloads.

Yeah, I think this was a good next step against a team that also have big physical power at the same time with the outstanding technical skills in the center. I think, yeah, New York City for me is one of the best teams in the whole league, and right now, my boys show me, yeah, we can create also against teams on this level good moments for us, and yeah, we have -- we are in our process, yeah, more on the start point, and we look on New York City FC, they are a team that they are finish with the style of play and they have so much experience. My young group, they have also some good moments and this makes me happy.

But yeah, from the other side, we know we have many, many things to improve to find more control in the game and to create more chances against an open like New York City FC.

But we are right now a process, and many things are going in the right way.

Q. As far as your team goes, you were coming off one of your best performances of the year, and tonight feels almost like a win with the late point but how important is consistency for your team? It's been tough, obviously a young team finding consistency is always going to be tough with this young a team but how important is it for your team to find some consistency to close that gap and get into a playoff spot?

GERHARD STRUBER: Yes, I think this is important. This is very, very important, and a young team, I think the learning curve goes in many ways in a good direction. And right now it's the time that we come back from a game and say, oh, this was the new learning moment.

I think right now, it's the time to be constantly good in the game. Make many things in the right direction, and also, that we are smart and clever enough in some moments to break the pressing, to read the game better and I think this is for us very, very important that my players understand when it's the right trigger to press and when it's the right moment to find a better compact staggering, and also in transitions and buildups that we are clean and come in better possessions, that we find our momentum or have more control for our momentum. We work for that very hard at the at the moment and many players show me they are ready and they are ready to bring more and more a constantly good performance.

But this is a process, and we know and realize the group is young, yeah, but our standard, our level is high and especially what I expect from every game and from every single player.

Yeah, we will keep going and work for Saturday and hopefully -- and I have a big conviction that we are ready on Saturday for a win.

Q. Two straight matches with a red sweater. Is this permanent game day usage?

GERHARD STRUBER: No, I think sometimes it's red, a good color, and especially when we play at home. Then I think maybe this can be a color forever, we will see what's going on. But I am open for that, yeah. But the red color bring us for the last two games four points. Maybe it's a little bit helpful.

Q. Obviously just a very late boost to the team in that game. Do you think it gives you guys a lot of confidence to continue putting pressure on City on Saturday?

GERHARD STRUBER: Yes, this give us a big boost and I think the boys understand we are so close to be the team on this level. The stats show us we are in some interesting topics in the start are better, and also, we are critical with ourselves; that we have to improve some things in a better way, especially about the big topic, control on the ball, and also in possession that we make bigger steps with better decisions and better moves. Then I think we have more ways to find control and to bring the opponent problems.